College grad from Auburn gets top honor: Hug from brother

AUBURN — One local college graduate received something far more valuable than a diploma at her commencement ceremony this week — a hug from her brother.

When Courtney M. Cusson, 23, heard her name called, she walked across the stage in cap and gown on Sunday. Her main concern was remembering to shake hands with the appropriate officials. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she was surprised to see someone approaching her from behind the curtain.

As the audience cheered, her brother, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. N. Joseph Cusson, 20, whom she had not seen in more than a year, strode out in his dress blues to escort his sister on her big day.

“I had no idea he was coming. My parents and friends snuck around for months planning this and keeping it secret. It was the best surprise ever. I cried the whole way off the stage. We have a tape of it. I cry every time I see it,” she said.

Lance Cpl. Cusson joined the Marines shortly after graduating from Auburn High School in 2011. For the past year, he has been deployed overseas, most recently in Okinawa, Japan.

Ms. Cusson, daughter of Paul and Michele Cusson of 8 Clarendon Road, graduated from Auburn High School in 2008, then entered a legal studies program at the University of New Haven in Connecticut. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree on Sunday, and has accepted a position as a paralegal in the law office where she interned for lawyer Renee C. Bauer in Hamden, Conn.

Ms. Cusson said she will start work once her brother’s leave is over on June 17.

“Joe is my only sibling. He’s a huge part of my life. He said he might be home in July, and I was so excited. This is so much better. I never expected him to make my graduation. We have to start a bucket list and get it done in the next three weeks.”

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